Base-plate for bicycle-bells



H. N. GALE.

No. 6l4,805. Patented Nov. 22, I898.

BASE PLATE FOR BICYCLE BELLS.

(Application filed June 25, 18983 (No Model.)

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THE NDRRB PEFERS cu PHOTo-uTNa. WASHINGTON D c NITED STATES PATENT Fries,

HERBERT N. GALE, OF HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR TO THE BRISTOL BELL COMPANY, OF BRISTOL, CONNECTICUT.

BASE-PLATE FOR BICYCLE-BELLS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 614,805, dated November 22, 1898.

A li tion fil diTune 25,1898- erial No. 684,451. (No model.)

' ful Improvements in Base-Plates for Bicycle .Bells, of which the following is a full, clear,

and exact description,whereby any one skilled in the art can make and use the same.

My invention relates to the class of devices more particularly used on bicycles or like vehicles for the purpose of sounding an alarm;

and the object of my invention is to produce such a device, as abell, with its base-plate so constructed as to admit of adjustment of the thumb-lever or push-button extending therefrom in any desired position for its protection and for the convenience and safety of the operator and at the same time one in which the parts immediately clamping the bell to the support shall he inclosed and free from projecting ends outside of the structure; and a further object is to provide a device of this class whereby the structure may be rigidly secured in place and adjusted without the use of other devices than those immediately composing the structure.

To this end my invention consists in the device as a whole, in' the combination of parts, and in the details and their combination, as hereinafter described, and more particularly pointed out in the claims.

Referring to the drawings, Figure l is a side view of my improved bell secured in place, as on a handle-bar of a bicycle, the striking mechanism being omitted. Fig. 2 is a detail view, in vertical central section, of the device. Fig. 3 is a detail top view with the gong and upper section of the base removed. Fig. 4 is a detail side view of the parts disconnected and in section through the base and clamp. Fig. 5 is a detail top view of the nut and side view of the clamp. Fig. 6 is a detail top view of the upper section of the base, showing part of a thumb-lever attached thereto.

In the accompanying drawings the letter a denotes a support, as the handlebar of a bicycle, Z) a sectional base-plate mounted thereon, and c a gong supported above the base-plate.

The gong is of usual construc-' tion and may be of any desired shape and is secured to the upper end of a post d, as by means of interengaging screw-threads. The base I) is formed in two sections. The upper section b is designed for supporting the bell mechanism, and the lower section Z1 cooperates therewith, in connection with other parts, to clamp the device as a whole to its support, and also serves as a case to inclose a portion of the clamping mechanism. The post dis provided with a flange cl, forming a shoulder lying within the base and against the inner surface thereof, this post projecting through the base and engaging at its lower end with a nut e. A flexible band f is provided at or near each end with means for attachment to the nut, in the form shown openings being made through the band into which ears 6 on the nut project.

An opening is formed in the side of the base for the reception of a thumb-lever Z),

which is common in this class of bells as a means of operating the striking mechanism, that has been omitted from the drawings as not necessary for a clear understanding of the invention, but which may be of any wellknown form-such, for instance, as that shown and described in Patent No. 471,982, dated March 29, 1892.

The lower section b? of the sectional base is of cup shape for the reception of the lower end of the post, the nut and the ends of the clamping-band thus forming a casing completely inclosing these parts and providing a device free from projecting ends or obstructions. This lower section b is recessed on its under surface for the reception of a handlebar a. The upper section Z) of the base is loosely engaged with the post cl, so that it may be freely rotated thereon except when the device is rigidly clamped in position, and this section ispreferably shaped to project within the section 11 In assembling the device the flexible band f is placed about the support and its ends engaged with the nut e. The lower section b of the base is then placed in position with the nut and the ends of the band lying within this section. The upper sectionb of the base, with the post d, is then placed in position and the post rotated to engage the nut. The gong may now be secured in place on the upper end of the post and the final clamping operation performed bya continued rotation of the gong. Just before the device is rigidly secured in place the upper section I) of the base is rotated to locate the opening 19 in proper position, after which the parts are firmly clamped in position by the rotation of the gong 0.

Owing to the small frictional surface between the end of the post (Z and the bottom of the socket in the gong as compared with the frictional surface between the two sections of the base, the gong may now be easily removed by rotating in the proper direction, and the device as a whole may be unclamped only by rotating the base. The rotation of the base will loosen the parts by causing the rotation of the post, owing to the frictional contact between the shoulder formed by the flange d, and the base. lVhen the parts are once loosened by this operation, the post may be easily turned to disassemble the device, if necessary.

' An important feature of my invention resides in the loose mounting of a section of the base on the post, the lower end of which engages with the clamping means, this loose mounting of a section of the base enabling a thumb-lever or like part to be located in any desired position, and the inclosing of the clamping parts within the base provides a neat and compact device and one free from objections present in a device where ends of bolts or screws used to clamp the device project 011 the outer surface thereof, means other than those for clamping the parts and assembling the bell not being required to finally adjust and secure the device in position.

I claim as my invention 1. I11 combination in a bicycle-bell, a sectional base including a lower section and an upper section rotarily mounted with respect to the lower section, a gong-support loosely mounted in the upper section, and a clamp device connected with the gong-support.

2. In combination in a bicycle-bell, a sectional base-plate including a lower section having a socket in its under surface and an upper section rotarily mounted with respect to the lower section, a not located within the socket in the lower section, a flexible band extending within the socket and attached to the nut, a gong-support loosely mounted in the upper section and in engagement with the nut, and a gong adapted to be secured to the post.

8. In combination in a bicycle-bell, a baseplate consisting of a lower section and an upper section rotarily mounted with respect to the lower section, a socket in the under surface of the lower section, a nut located within the socket, a flexible band having its ends extending within the socket and attached to the nut, a gong-support loosely mounted in the upper section of the base, a gong adapted to be secured to the support, and means connecting said support and nut whereby on the rotation of the gong the nut is moved in the socket.

4. In combination in a bicycle-bell, a sectional base-plate including a lower section and an upper section rotarily mounted with respect to the lower section, the lower section being shaped across its edge to lit a cylindrical surface, a socket in the lower section, a nut located within the socket, a flexible band having its ends extending within the socket, means for connecting the ends of the band and nut, a gong-support having a threaded end engaging the nut and loosely mounted in the upper section, and a gong secured to the gong support by means of interengaging screw-threads.

5. In combination in a bicycle-bell, a sectional base including a lower section and an upper section rotarily mounted with respect to the lower section, a clamping device, a gong-support loosely mounted in the upper section of the base and in engagement with the clamping device and having a shoulder resting against the inner surface of the base in opposition to the clamp, and a gong secured to said support.

6. In combination in a bicycle-bell, a sectional base including a lower section and an upper section rotarily mounted with respect to the lower section, said lower section having a socket, a nut located within the socket, a clamping-band with its ends adapted to engage the nut, a gong-support loosely mounted in the upper section and in engagement with the nut and having a shoulder resting against the inner surface of the upper section, and a gong-support secured to the upper end of said support.

7. In combination in a bicycle-bell, a sec tional base including a lower section and an upper section rotarily mounted with respect to the lower section, said lower section having a socket and said upper section having a thumb-lever opening, a clamp device located within said socket, a gong-support loosely mounted in said upper section and in engage ment with the clamp device, and a gong secured to said support.

8. In combination in a bicycle-bell, a clamp, a base rotarily movable with respect to the clamp, means for holding the base normally against rotation in either direction, and a gong, supported in operatim relation to the base.

9. In combination in a bicycle-bell, a clamp, a base rotarily movable with respect to the clamp, a thumbdever mounted on the base, means for holding the base against rotation, and agong, supported in operative relation to the base.

10. In combination in abicycle-bell, aolamp, a thumb-lever mounted on the base, the post a post secured to the clamp, a base rotarily adapted to hold the base against rotation, and 10 movable on said post, a thumb-lever mounted a gong secured to the post.

on the base,n1eans for holding the base against 5 rotation, and a gong, supported in operative HERBERF GALE relation to the base. Witnesses: 4 v 11. In a bicycle-bell in combination, a clamp, ARTHUR B. JENKINS, a base rotarily movable with respect to a post, ERMA P. GOFFRIN.

Correction in Letters Patent No 614,80T

It is hereby certified that the residence of the patentee in Letters Patent No. 614,805, granted November 22, 1898, upon the application of Herbert N. Gale, for an improvement in Base-Plates for Bicycle-Bells, was erroneously written and printed Hartford, Connecticut, whereas said residence should have been written and printed Bristol,

Connecticut; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed, countersigned, and sealed this 20th day of December, A. D., 1898.

[SEAL] WEBSTER DAVIS,

Assistant Secretary of the Interior. Countersigned C. H. DUELL,

Commissioner of Patents. 

